The Golden State sees treasures worth saving in the sea

California is forging ahead with a plan to set up what are said to be the largest marine reserves in the country, according to a story today by Paul Rogers of the San Jose Mercury News.

Marine reserves, or marine protected areas, usually involve restrictions or even an outright ban on fishing. In California’s case, it’s a total no-fishing deal. The decision to bar taking of any sealife in 8 to 13 percent of California’s marine waters is expected to be made tomorrow by the California Fish and Game Commission, a majority of which was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

According to Warner Chabot, vice president of the San Francisco-based Ocean Conservancy:

This is a historic moment in how we manage our oceans. It’s comparable to decisions by Teddy Roosevelt to create national forests and wilderness areas 100 years ago.